Trek rail rear shock upgrade ideas please

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Putting all the info I found in one post.

Trek rail 9.8 2021 Large Came stock with trunion rockshox shock which started leaking in a week.

Installed fox dhx2 230x65. Cannot run in low setting seat post hits. Reservoir clears in both settings.


bolts are 1mm shorter than shock + spacers
Fox mounting hardware. Upper shock bolt is 54mm shock width + 2x8mm spacer plus linkage = 70mm but 69mm bolt


Bolts


TR540755

TR599900

hardware
• Upper: 10mm x 54mm 803-03-311
• Lower: 10mm x 40mm 803-03-329

5362EB48-1EBB-44BD-8A06-B149A2D38593.jpeg


2D127065-8741-4331-8533-AC6E4FEEE72C.jpeg


177BB06F-FB09-4616-85E7-73683EC7695B.jpeg


83C20E59-C458-42E8-91E2-BB0635B0DED8.jpeg


837C0919-9F78-43B2-BEE4-7FEC295FCA57.jpeg


992B041B-3303-4178-98CC-B063773DFCFA.jpeg
 
I picked up a used dhx2 and think I need some mounting bushing. I thought I read that the ones from my rock shox just needed to be pressed out and installed into the fox shock but the center part of the bushings is way too larg.

724189BF-06D4-49B7-80E7-C6CFA2FC407B.jpeg


A4DBCABD-1129-491C-9C81-465CCFB1D99D.jpeg
 
I picked up a used dhx2 and think I need some mounting bushing. I thought I read that the ones from my rock shox just needed to be pressed out and installed into the fox shock but the center part of the bushings is way too larg.

View attachment 67103

View attachment 67104
You haven't installed the DU bushing from the RS yet......Remove the 2 black sleeves, press out the long pin, then you need a bushing tool to press out the DU bushing from the RS shock. this is what they look like.
1626957759629.png
 
The outer part of the black sleeve fits perfectly into the fox shock, so I'm thinking it's going to be loose if I just use the DU bushing. In the one picture, I inserted the black portion into the fox. Does something else go on the fox shocks along besides the DU and the mounting shaft?
The center part of the black sleeve is stepped up and larger.
 
You need DU bushings with an ID to match the steel shaft and an OD to match the shock eyelet.
 
Good question. I couldn't find any with a quick google. I would suggest contacting the seller of the shock.
 
The outer part of the black sleeve fits perfectly into the fox shock, so I'm thinking it's going to be loose if I just use the DU bushing. In the one picture, I inserted the black portion into the fox. Does something else go on the fox shocks along besides the DU and the mounting shaft?
The center part of the black sleeve is stepped up and larger.
I have the exact same shock….. and reused my hardware. Fox shoxs have the same ID as rock shox.
2D0DAB9B-FD2A-44E6-BA3F-B3BF63C3E564.jpeg
 
I removed the upper mount of my shock for you…I’ve never heard of making different ID shocks of the same size so if it’s is different….it’s either counterfeit or drilled out, but my guess is it’s the same.

8FDA3CD6-6DFA-421D-A393-65423810E384.jpeg


black sleeve reversed:
75F64075-3F7A-473C-8446-406E2AB95CA9.jpeg

Black sleeve partially removed:
207CBCBF-7A72-4026-9EA4-E742D877AEAB.jpeg
 
Putting all the info I found in one post.

Trek rail 9.8 2021 Large Came stock with trunion rockshox shock which started leaking in a week.

Installed fox dhx2 230x65. Cannot run in low setting seat post hits. Reservoir clears in both settings.


bolts are 1mm shorter than shock + spacers
Fox mounting hardware. Upper shock bolt is 54mm shock width + 2x8mm spacer plus linkage = 70mm but 69mm bolt


Bolts


TR540755

TR599900

hardware
• Upper: 10mm x 54mm 803-03-311
• Lower: 10mm x 40mm 803-03-329

View attachment 66994

View attachment 66995

View attachment 66996

View attachment 66997

View attachment 66998

View attachment 66999
At full stroke how much travel do you think was left after seat stay contacted the seat tube? Do you think 62.5mm would clear?
 
The Specialized bottle holder with integrated tools used with original bottle is good solution. It has enough room for dhx2 (2022).

470FE35C-159A-4AD8-8736-94F033FDDD86.jpeg
 
hitting the can on the bottom before it’s all the way in.
Med. Rail 9.7
That's a known issue with the smaller frames.

Ohlins TTX, DVO Jade X have different orientation reservoirs so don't hit.
Some shocks have shorter reservoirs, modified EXT Storia, 2022 Fox, so may be OK.
rail7dvo.png
 
So I am trying to figure out what the consensus is on replacing stock shocks…

What is Goldilocks for aggressive rides and long missions?

I find the RS thrushaft to be really poor…as a pedaling platform…the damping is mediocre…etc.

But what gets this bike up to its full potential? X2 or a Coil?

And does increased travel make this a better bike on big hits and drops?

(The subpar Rail suspension really has me considering moving to a Levo3, but I love the CX4 motor…it is more capable than the Brose 2.2 which I have about 100 miles on demo. If I could get the suspension dialed, I would likely stick with the rail…getting some additional travel would be a huge plus, too).

I have a Large Rail 9.9.
 
I love my 165mm dhx2 with 180mm zeb ultimate smash pot. So much better than stock. All I ride is DH PNW
 
203 front , not 220 ? I thought all rail , or at least 7 and up, come with 220 front rotor.
So 203 are enough as of trek. That’s nice to know
 
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